I don’t know
about you, but I love listening to and watching movies/TV shows that are based
on real life events and how people overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles
to achieve their goals in life. One such film is “The Pursuit of Happiness.”
In that film, actor Will Smith plays the role of Chris Gardner. Chris Gardner
was a single father who lost his life’s savings in an investment. However, he
learns about an opportunity to work for Dean Witter. The opportunity was really
for a 6 month unpaid internship whereby Chris would have to compete against 19
other individuals in order to get a job there. If Chris was successful in
getting the job, it would radically change his financial situation for the better!
When he went to
the interview for the internship, he had just been released from jail on
account of unpaid parking tickets and had not had an opportunity to get dressed
appropriately given the circumstances of his arrest and jail time. Those in the
interview were taken back by his poor appearance. So they asked him, “What
would you say if someone came in here looking for a job and they didn’t have on
a dress shirt?” To which Chris replied, “He must have had on a great set of
pants!” :)
Needless to say,
Chris did get the job, and eventually went on to form his own multi-million
dollar brokerage firm. Thus, Chris’s situation was radically transformed in
spite of his poor appearance early on. This is very similar to us as
Christians.
The Bible teaches
that prior to becoming a Christian, we were dressed in the shameful nakedness
of our sinful state (Rev. 3:17). However, when a person becomes a Christian,
they are baptized into Christ and thus are clothed with Christ (Gal. 3:27).
Translation, our filthy sinfulness has been washed away and we are now clothed
with the righteousness of Christ. Isaiah 61:10 says it like this. “I delight
greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with
garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a
bridegroom adorns His head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with
her jewels.”
On the other hand, being dressed for success as
a Christian is more than just accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Romans
13:14 says, “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do
not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” In
this we see an aspect that we need to do in being dressed for success
spiritually. We are to make no provision for our sinful desires. This would
including avoiding wild parties, drunkenness, sexual promiscuity and
immorality, quarreling and jealousy (Rom. 13:13). This is a picture of living a
pure and holy life. As we know in our culture, white is a symbol of purity as
seen in a bride who wears white as a sign to her groom that she has remained
pure for him. Jesus, speaking of those who are a part of the bride of Christ,
aka, His faithful followers, says this: “The one who is victorious will, like them, be
dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life,
but will acknowledge that name before My Father and His angels” (Rev. 3:5).
Additionally, Colossians 3:9-17 speaks of it as
putting on the new self. This putting on the new self includes clothing
ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Let’s briefly consider each of those things that are to be a part of our
spiritual clothing for success. Clothing ourselves with compassion: this
is a genuine sensitivity and heartfelt sympathy for the needs of others. It
is an attribute of God, who is described as compassionate and who acted so on
our behalf.
Second we are
told to clothe ourselves with kindness. Kindness is acting charitably,
and benevolently toward others, as God has done toward us. God’s kindness is a
continual theme in the Psalms and Prophets. Kindness takes the initiative in
responding generously to others’ needs. Because believers have received
kindness, we ought to act that way toward others. This does not come naturally;
it is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23).
Third, we are commanded
to clothe ourselves with humility. Humility is an attitude of one’s
self-esteem that is neither puffed up with pride, nor self-depreciating. It
is a true understanding of one’s position with God. As Christ humbled
Himself (Phil.2:6–11), so believers ought to humble themselves in service to
the Lord and Savior.
Fourth, we are
commanded to clothe ourselves with gentleness. Gentleness is not to be
confused with weakness; instead, it means consideration for others and a
willingness to give up one’s rights for the sake of another. Again, Christ
is our example.
Fifth, we are
commanded to clothe ourselves with patience. For most people patience
does not come easy, yet it is evidence that a person has truly been born again
(see Eph. 5:22-23). The patient person might have the right to retaliate,
but chooses patience instead (portions from Life Application Bible Commentary, p. 215-216).
Jon Courson said,
“To put on Christ means to
continually ask, “What would Jesus do in this situation?” And as you choose to
put Him on, you will ultimately find yourself becoming the role and the role
becoming you. Being grouchy or brusque, impatient or unforgiving because
“that’s just the way I am” is then no longer an option because God didn’t save us to keep
us the way we are. He
saved us to change us into the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29)” (Jon
Courson’s Application Commentary, p. 1323).
Therefore, I want to encourage you to consider how you are dressed spiritually
Are you dressed for success? May that be the case with you, as you seek to live
for Him.
In His
service,
Matt
